Edmund Patrick Garvey M.D.

It is with great sadness we share the unexpected passing of Edmund Patrick Garvey (Eamonn) of Ephrata, Pa. at his home, on June 10 2024. Eamonn was born in Dublin, Ireland on August 23,1946 to Edmund Patrick Garvey and Breta Josephine (Kenny) Garvey, the eldest of 7 children. Eamonn attended Synge Street (Christian Brothers School) and then earned his medical degree from UCD ( University College Dublin) in 1970. 

In 1969, he did an Externship at South Baltimore General Hospital. While there he experienced, for the first time, the U.S. summer sun at Ocean City, Md. He quickly realized how sensitive fair Irish skin really is! An Aran sweater came in handy as he shivered from a significant sunburn! He returned in 1970 for a Rotating Internship and a year of Medical Residency, and is where he met Kathleen Ann Mechler (Kathie). In 1972, he started an Anesthesia Residency and Critical Care Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh and in 1973 married the love of his life and partner of 51 years. In 1975, he entered the Army as a Major in the Medical Corps, stationed at the 2nd General Hospital in Landstuhl, Germany for 3 years. He and Kathie added to their family with Ned in 1976 and Allison in 1977. They traveled as much as they could, driving a small VW with a camper attached, camping in France, Switzerland, The Netherlands and, of course, Germany. Keep in mind that Eamonn sat on the right side of the car while driving on the left side of the road in Ireland. This made maneuvering their extended vehicle on the right side of the road while sitting on the left in Europe a little tricky and resulted in a couple sacrificed side mirrors! 

In 1978, he joined the Medical School faculty at the University of Pittsburgh and in 1981 he was recruited to join the Medical School at the University of Texas Houston. At both Universities he was recognized for his obvious love of teaching. In 1984 ,he returned to the East coast and joined Anesthesia Associates of Lancaster where he practiced until retirement in 2014. 

Eamonn was a quiet and intellectual man with a very dry sense of humor. He loved books, reading diverse subjects, Religions, Philosophy, Metaphysics and J.R.R. Tolkien, often arriving home with several copies of one book. His mind was brilliant for recalling memorable lines and incorporating them when talking with others. He was known for his “Garveyisms” by the nurse anesthesia staff at LGH. Eamonn also had a fondness for the finer art of writing instruments. He loved to jot down thoughts and ideas, and share them with others. He was a connoisseur of newspaper comics because they offered meaningful reflections and insights. Clippings often found their way to the family, especially his grandchildren! 

Eamonn was a beloved husband and a loving father and Grampy. His family meant the world to him. He is survived by his wife Kathie, and children, Ned Garvey (Suzy) of Ephrata, and Allison Garvey ( Patric Charest) of Baltimore. His grandchildren, Eamonn Patrick and Fionn Joseph Garvey and Madeline Grace Charest (Maddie) have a great many memories of times with Grampy. He was pre-deceased by his parents and his sister Ann Daly and an infant brother. Surviving siblings, in Ireland, are Regina ( Frazer Meredith), Eva (Paul McCarthy), Mary (Patrick Seaver), Deirdre Garvey (Geoff Conroy) Christopher Garvey (Ann Costello) and brother-law Peter Daly, 15 nieces and nephews and a number of the next generation who will miss him dearly. 

One of his favorite Irish sayings was, “ You can take the man out of the bog, but you can’t take the bog out of the man! 

Carry on gentle spirit for your earthly journey is completed. 

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Memorial Service at DeBord Snyder Funeral Home and Crematory, 141 E. Orange St., Lancaster, PA. 17602, on Saturday July 13, 2024, at 11 AM. Friends may greet the family from 10 AM until the time of service. To view the service virtually, please click the following link: http://my.gather.app/remember/edmund-garvey Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers donations may be made, in his memory, to the Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster, P.O. Box104, Lancaster, PA. 17608. To leave an online condolence for the family please visit: www.DeBordSnyder.com.